Horses utilize protein from their food to sustain life processes, muscular activity, and tissue repair. Protein is composed of amino acids, which are essential for growth and the production of milk, eggs, and wool. When horses consume protein, it is broken down into amino acids during digestion, which the body then uses to build and repair tissues.
How Horses Break Down and Use Protein
Horses require a balanced diet of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals, vitamins, and water to maintain good health, growth, and reproductive capabilities. The energy horses need comes primarily from carbohydrates and fats. However, protein can also supply energy, especially when the horse’s intake of carbohydrates and fats is insufficient, or when protein intake exceeds the body’s needs.
What are the essential amino acids for horses?
Monogastric animals, like horses, need specific amounts of 10 essential amino acids daily: arginine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine. High-quality protein sources, such as soybean meal, contain high concentrations of the essential amino acids in the proper balance for their full utilization.
How does the quality of protein affect horses?
The quality of protein affects horses differently based on the amino acid profile. High-quality proteins contain high concentrations of essential amino acids in the right balance, which is best for the horse. Poor-quality proteins lack one or more essential amino acids. Combining poor-quality proteins with other feeds can restore the balance of essential amino acids.
How much feed do horses need?
Weanling foals need approximately three pounds of feed per hundred pounds of live weight daily. As they get closer to maturity, this requirement decreases to one pound of feed per hundred pounds of live weight daily. Horses typically reach their mature weight before they are four years old, and they reach 80% of their mature weight before they are two years old.
Horses use protein to sustain life processes, build and repair tissues, and, if needed, create energy. The quality and balance of amino acids in the protein source are crucial for optimal utilization.
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